What’s your trick to keep scoop strainers clean?

[Alex F]

Couple of weeks ago I had strange thing happened. Both of my scoop strainers got clogged twice in the same day.

First time it happened, the boat lost performance and wouldn’t go over 4000RPMs. I went away from busy area, stopped and put her in reveres. Then, I shut the engines for a minute. This worked fine until sometime later while cruising in the ICW channel I felt like we hit something (like hidden huge seaweed). I’ve noticed different sound from the engines but they performed just fine. Knowing that I have only 10-15 left into the trip I just kept going. When we got to the anchoring spot I cleaned the sea strainers (they looked like they needed to be cleaned) and decided to inspect my scoop strainers. When I dove down under the boat I was shocked to see how much seaweed had been in both scoop strainers blocking the water flow. I had to do few dives to ensure that all is clean.

This made me think about scenario of travelling in colder season (fall or early spring) when water temps range in 50s. I don’t think I would like to dive in that water to clean the scoop strainers. But, on the other hand I can’t think of any other way to get the seaweed out of there. Does anyone know a trick that allows you to stay dry and accomplish this successfully?

Thanks,
Alex.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Does anyone know a trick that allows you to stay dry and accomplish this successfully?[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

Thanks,
Alex.

Yes. Get someone else to do it:grin:

Sorry, couldn't avoid it! And, no none else better tell me you weren't thinking the same thing! Seriously, though, I don't know.

On edit: The only other way I can think of is to install something on the inside, whereby you could blow the crap off by pushing/forcing the water that's trapped in the lines back out in reverse. Sort-of like using one of those power plungers for a toilet.

But, and this is a big but, then you'd have extra fittings and possibly a shut-off valve (to keep the "force" from from shooting towards the engine side) to contend with. I'm not sure that would be the best solution.

If you like toys, maybe buy one of those underwater fish cameras? It would at least enable you to to visually see if there is an obstruction - depending on water clarity, obviously. You could probably rig up a little contraption where you could drop the camera on one side, then pull it towards the strainer from the other side.

I don't know... just thinking out loud. Well, I guess it's actually pretty quiet on your end...

 

[J Levine]

Alex

Some guys add these over the scoops.... often called a "south bay strainer"

http://marineengineparts.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/media/buc00rss650p.jpg

 

[Vince_nj1]

Alex,

Thanks for posting that picture. When I first got my boat I was trying to clean the barnacles out of the strainer and tried to remove it by removing the 4 screws from underneath the boat. I couldnt get the strainer to budge and decided to just pick out the barnacles with a screw driver and remove the strainer next year if needed. I didn't know it was held in place with a "bonding screw"!. Good thing I didnt try too hard to pry it off.

Just thinking about your question, I would expect that the stainer would be more likely to get clogged later in the season when plant growth is high and barnacles have accumulated. The water temps should be warm enough to dive right up into October, so you may able to address this by diving.

BTW, Sorry to read about your recent problems with your overheating and skinner valve.

 

[370Dancer]

Yes. Get someone else to do it:grin:



On edit: The only other way I can think of is to install something on the inside, whereby you could blow the crap off by pushing/forcing the water that's trapped in the lines back out in reverse. Sort-of like using one of those power plungers for a toilet.

.

This is exactly what I do, in a fashion. We have pretty warm water all the time, and lots of floating or near floating weed. So once a month in the summer, and less in the Winter, I attach a dock hose to the raw water inlet fittings to force a stream of water from the strainer inlet through the hose to the seacock, to the inlet scoop. Won't get the barnacles out, but that's what the dive service is for.

I do it for the engines, genset, and air conditioner.

 

[jamesv]

I've got the "South Bay Strainers" that Jon mentioned....never had a problem

 

[osd9]

I installed the strainers on my 2002 380DA and 1998 330DA.


Below is a pic when I installed them on my 330DA.

I first cut out the grates of the stock scuppers in order to maxamize the water flow. I also wanted less nooks and crannies for little critters to attach to and grow.

 

[Alex F]

The only other way I can think of is to install something on the inside, whereby you could blow the crap off by pushing/forcing the water that's trapped in the lines back out in reverse. Sort-of like using one of those power plungers for a toilet.

But, and this is a big but, then you'd have extra fittings and possibly a shut-off valve (to keep the "force" from from shooting towards the engine side) to contend with.

I was thinking along the same lines, but was hoping that there's a better solution out there.

I guess, the easiest short term solution is to carry wet suit and may be the hood to keep me warm. I just hate the fact that the issue can occur at any given moment if you happen to pass by an area full of seaweeds.

Dom,
I have to tell you, that you've got alot of nervs to drill all these wholes in the bottom of your boats. I don't think I'm ready for it, yet )